Together, striving for healthy and sustainable Newaygo County waters, land, and skies.
NCEC Teams are members who have banded together to do environmental work with a certain focus within one of our 4 Focus Areas: Environmental Youth, LOBO, 3R, and Healthy Habitats. The included teams are continuing to form and eagerly would like more community members to join.
Teams are developed out of members’ interest areas.
What are vernal pools?
Vernal pools, also known as ephemeral pools or temporary woodland ponds, are small wetlands that fill with water during the autumn or winter due to rainfall and rising groundwater. These isolated pools lack continuous connections with larger bodies of water, making them ideal breeding grounds for a variety of amphibians and invertebrates. Often referred to as the coral reefs of the forest, vernal pools are home to indicator species such as Fairy shrimp, Wood frog, Spotted salamanders, and Blue-spotted salamanders. By monitoring these species, we can identify the presence of vernal pools and ensure their protection.
The Vernal Pool Patrol:
The Vernal Pool Patrol, organized by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, is one of the pioneering statewide vernal pool monitoring programs in the country. This program owes its success to the dedicated community scientists who are passionate about nature and committed to preserving Michigan’s unique ecosystems. As part of the larger Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership, the Vernal Pool Patrol aims to advance vernal pool research and conservation across the state.
How can you get involved?
If you share our love for nature and want to make a difference in Newaygo County, we invite you to join the Vernal Pool Patrol. As a volunteer, you will receive training to identify and monitor woodland vernal pools. By recording data and observing indicator species, you will contribute to the ongoing research and conservation efforts in the region.
To get started, contact Katie Clark @ katie.c@nc-ec.org, Newaygo County Vernal Pool Patrol Coordinator at the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition, who will provide you with all the necessary information and training.
We are thrilled to announce the birth of the Wild Ones Newaygo Region Seedling Chapter, a vibrant new addition to the Wild Ones family, now officially recognized on the Wild Ones map!
https://wildones.org/chapters/michigan/
This marks a significant milestone for our community and environmental enthusiasts in and around Lake, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Oceana counties. Our chapter is dedicated to fostering a deep connection with nature through the promotion and preservation of native plants and natural landscapes.
As this little seedling begins to take route, we extend a warm invitation to individuals passionate about making a positive impact on our local environment to join us. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a nature lover, or someone looking to make a difference in your community, there’s a place for you in the Wild Ones Newaygo Region Seedling Chapter.
Becoming a part of our chapter offers you the unique opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals and contribute to meaningful conservation efforts. Our activities include educational programs such as how to do winter seed sowing, hands-on projects such as fall seed gathering, and community events like native plant sales which all aim to enhance our local ecosystems. By joining us, you’ll gain access to a wealth of knowledge on native plants and sustainable gardening practices while also having the chance to participate in fun and rewarding events.
Together, we can create a greener, more biodiverse Newaygo region. Don’t miss out on this chance to be a part of something truly special—come grow with us!
To get involved, contact Larry Messing, acting president, at larry.m@nc-ec.org or NCEC at buzz@nc-ec.org.
In recent months several area farmers have been meeting to see how we can better produce, provide, and promote locally grown products. We are calling ourselves the Newaygo Area Local Growers. The group is also interested in providing a network of support for one another as farmers and also engaging and forming meaningful community with our customers.
Contact Kathy, @ kathy.m@nc-ec.org or buzz@nc-ec.org
Do you have a passion, interest, or experience in the practices of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle? We would love to have you join our Team! We could use your help brainstorming, creating projects, or conducting research. The 3R Team meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 12:30 pm at the NCEC office.
Contact 3R team @ susie.h@nc-ec.org
Up-Coming 3-R Projects
The 3-R Team is also working on these future projects:
* Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Spring Campaign – we have hundreds of plastic-wrapped boats in Newaygo County!
* Plastic Bags Everywhere! Can we cut down on their use?
* Textiles are in our landfill.
Let’s find some options!
The NCEC Habitat Restoration team provides volunteers for Newaygo County nature preserves, sanctuaries, nature trails, etc. by working with groups such as the Land Conservancy of West MI, MI Nature Association, North Country Trail of Western MI, the Dragon Trail volunteer trail maintenance crew, and others such as Brooks Township Hall and the Newaygo Welcome and Sports Center. This team is committed to the environmental conservation efforts of all those entities that are doing the work in Newaygo County.
We are inviting community members with a passion for nature and conservation, the NCEC Habitat Restoration team offers a unique volunteering opportunity that makes a tangible difference in the preservation of our local environment. Volunteering with the team not only helps protect and restore vital habitats but also provides an enriching experience of working closely with nature and like-minded individuals.
Whether you’re someone with extensive knowledge in environmental sciences or someone looking to contribute to a meaningful cause, your involvement can significantly impact our efforts to maintain and enhance the natural beauty and ecological health of Newaygo County’s nature preserves. We encourage those interested in making a positive environmental impact to join us in our mission to conserve and restore, ensuring a thriving, biodiverse community for generations to come.
Contact Sally at sally.w@nc-ec.org.
The NCEC Prescribe Burn Association Development team is dedicated to the essential and meticulous task of conducting prescribed burns across the county’s nature sanctuaries as well has land owners who are restoring their land to natural habitat.
This includes the 645 acres within the MNA nature sanctuaries and the Coolbough Natural Areas in Newaygo County. With a primary focus on preserving the ecological health of these habitats, the team operates under a framework that emphasizes the need for controlled burns as a vital component of land stewardship. This practice not only helps in maintaining the biodiversity of native species but also plays a crucial role in the management of invasive species and the prevention of wildfires.
The team’s efforts are supported by a growing partnership with local entities and the broader community, aiming to foster a collaborative approach towards environmental conservation. However, there is a significant need for more volunteers to support the wide array of stewardship activities, including but not limited to, species inventory, invasive species removal, reseeding of native plants, and particularly, the execution of controlled burns.
We are reaching out to the community members of Newaygo County and beyond, inviting those who share a passion for environmental conservation and a commitment to preserving our natural heritage, to join the NCEC Prescribe Burn Association Development team. By becoming a part of our team, you will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the health and vitality of our natural areas through hands-on involvement in prescribed burns and other critical stewardship activities. We are in urgent need of volunteers who are ready to learn and engage in this vital work. Training on controlled burn techniques, basic fire safety, and other essential skills will be provided to equip our volunteers with the knowledge they need to participate effectively. This is your chance to make a tangible difference in the conservation of our planet’s precious ecosystems. Join us in our mission to protect and enhance the natural beauty of Newaygo County and its surrounding areas for generations to come.
Contact Sally at sally.w@nc-ec.org.
Discover the art of foraging and wildcrafting with a passionate community of nature enthusiasts! We share knowledge on ethically harvesting wild plants, mushrooms, and herbs while fostering a deep connection to the land. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned forager or crafter, join us for guided walks, workshops, and discussions on sustainable practices, herbal remedies, and wilderness skills. Reconnect with nature—one wild harvest at a time!
Contact Sally at sally.w@nc-ec.org.
The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) is dedicated to fostering a deep connection between young people and the environment through our dynamic Youth & Young Adult Team. This initiative is at the heart of our mission to cultivate environmental stewardship and awareness among the next generation.
By engaging in a range of hands-on, impactful activities, participants have the unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in their community. From monitoring the health of vernal pools to restoring vital habitats and cultivating native plant gardens, our program is designed to empower young individuals with the knowledge, skills, and passion needed to protect our planet.
Furthermore, our support for schools participating in the Michigan Green Schools Program exemplifies our commitment to integrating environmental education into the academic experience, encouraging schools to achieve Green, Emerald, or Evergreen School Environmental Stewardship Designations.
We call on community members who share our vision for a greener, more sustainable future to join our Youth & Young Adult Team. Whether you’re a student eager to contribute to environmental conservation, a teacher looking to involve your school in meaningful green initiatives, or a community member passionate about mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders, there is a place for you in our team.
By joining us, you’ll not only help nurture a culture of environmental responsibility among young people but also participate in a collective effort to enact positive change in Newaygo County and beyond.
Contact Susie at susie.h@nc-ec.org.
The Newaygo County Environmental Allies (NCEC) communications team aims to amplify our efforts to protect and enhance our local environment.
We aim to engage the community through informative and inspiring content across various digital platforms. From updating our website with the latest environmental initiatives to creating engaging social media posts and informative YouTube videos, we aim to keep our community informed, involved, and inspired. We’re also focused on maintaining an up-to-date Environmental Ally Event Calendar and crafting a monthly newsletter highlighting our work and how community members can get involved. We’re seeking individuals who are passionate about making a difference through digital creation and communication to achieve these objectives.
If you possess skills in website design, social media management, video production, or any related computer-based skills, we invite you to join our team. We’re offering free training on essential tools such as Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress, Google Tools, AI, and more to ensure you have everything you need to contribute effectively. This is a fantastic opportunity to use your digital skills for a meaningful cause, helping to spread the word about environmental conservation and our community’s efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or eager to learn and contribute, we’d love to hear from you.
Email Katie at katie.c@nc-ec.org.
The Love Our Beautiful Outdoors (LOBO) team We urge our community members and visitors to learn first hand about the hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, nature sanctuaries, forests, and waterways in Newaygo County. We publicize and promote places, events, and opportunities that will get people of all ages and abilities out into the Beautiful outdoors. To know our natural environment is to love it – and to love it is to protect it.
Contact buzz@nc-ec.org to get join the LOBO team.